Former chairman of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and commentator Ramiz Raja has responded to the backlash over his informal conversation with the national Test team captain, Shan Masood.
In his vlog, Ramiz Raja clarified that he never intended to belittle Masood, stating that it is his right to question players and that Pakistan’s success would earn everyone respect.
Raja mentioned that many may not have seen the full interview, which led to misunderstanding
He explained that after the team lost six matches, he asked Masood how he managed to maintain composure following the defeats. “Shan Masood is the age of my son, and we often discuss batting,” he added.
Raja pointed out that Masood struggles with playing a shot toward the leg side, which he questioned during the interview.
He emphasized that after one victory, it’s easy to forget that there are still many challenges ahead.
“I didn’t say that Shan Masood should be removed after the team lost six Test matches. I don’t pay attention to social media commentary; there is politics aimed at putting pressure on me.
Those who haven’t played cricket still comment on it. It seems like Pakistan cricket only exists on social media.”
It is noteworthy that just two days prior, Pakistan defeated England by nine wickets in the third and final Test match, thanks to the exceptional bowling of their spinners, thus winning the series 1-2.
This victory marked Pakistan’s first home Test series win in over three and a half years, with their last home series win against South Africa in January 2021.
Despite this significant victory against England, commentator Ramiz Raja made informal remarks about captain Shan Masood.
During the post-match discussion, he sarcastically referenced Masood’s six failures as captain, and at one point remarked that it seems Noman Ali might be anemic. This comment has raised eyebrows, considering the sensitive context surrounding player health and performance.
As a result, Ramiz Raja faced criticism on social media, where users condemned his behavior towards the national team captain during such a moment. They argued that publicly humiliating the captain was inappropriate.
In addition to social media backlash, former players have also voiced their concerns, emphasizing the need for commentators to support rather than undermine the team’s morale.
On the other hand, the PCB has expressed its concerns to broadcasters regarding this matter.
The PCB has formally communicated with broadcasters about Ramiz Raja’s conduct and conveyed their reservations.
As the debate continues, Raja’s comments highlight the challenges of navigating public perception in the world of sports commentary. The cricket community awaits further developments as both Raja and Masood continue to lead in their respective roles.